KASTURI ORAR ROUND TREK
Duration: 15 Days 14 Nights

Bagdogra – Yuksom (1780 meters)
Arrival at Bagdogra and then drive to Yuksom the first historic capital of Sikkim. This village now is the base for most of the Khangchendzonga Trek. (Overnight stay in Yuksom)

Yuksom – Tshoka (3035 meters)
Trek from Yuksom to Tshoka. The trail goes up the Rathong valley, through thick semi-tropical forests. Later we climb a steep trail to the tiny Tibetan re-settlement village which is Tshoka. The landscape has now changed into pines, rhododendron and magnolia forests. We get excellent views of the entire Himalayan range. (Overnight stay in Tshoka)

Tshoka – D-Zongri (4030 meters)
A steep trail zigzags up through temperate forest and large clusters of rhododendrons to the vast clearing of Phedang. During April and May, the spectacle is gorgeous, as the land becomes a mass of flowers. After sometime we follow the ridge to D-Zongri (4020 meters) a pasture area for Yuksom yaks from April to October. (Overnight stay in D-Zongri)

Halt at D-Zongri for acclimatization
Depending on the fitness of the group, we could head northwest of D-Zongri where the panorama is stunning, over the Rathong glacier and further out towards the summit on the border with Nepal. OR we woud also organize a shorter ascent towards the D-Zongri Peak (4320 meters) OR Go towards the HMI Base Camp Area. (Overnight stay in D-Zongri)

D-Zongri – Thangsing (3930 meters)
We descend through rhododendron forest towards the glacier Prek river. The southern ridge of Khangchendzonga and the Onglakhing glacier are visible directly ahead and there are close-up views of Mt Pandim. (Overnight stay in Thangsing)

Thangsing – Lamuni (4200 meters)
A pleasant walk below the west side of Pandim through dwarf azaleas and rhododendroms to Zemathang. We take our first footsteps on the Onglakhing glacier and climb up to the shores of the Samity Lake, reputed to be the sacred source of the Prek river, and we walk towards Lamuni.
(Overnight stay in Lamuni)

Lamuni – Goechala. (4940 meters)
We have to leave quite early morning as fog and cloud descend on the pass shortly after sunrise. The trail to Goechala climbs steeply through moraines. From the pass, ringed with clourful prayer flags we can see Mt Khangchendzonga and beyond that the Talung glacier. The views are simply amazing and captivating. We trek back to Thangsing.
(Overnight stay in Thangsing)

Thangsing – Chamrea (4230 meters)
After a steep descent, we climb through alpine areas and pass by tiny lakes. (Overnight stay in Chamrea)

Kasturi Orar – Labdang (2000 meters)
We walk in the half light of the under growth, through a dense forest, where lianas tangle and moss and orchids hide tree trunks. (Overnight stay in Labdang)

Sightseeing around the place
Visit Yuksom, a small farming village, This place was the first capital of Sikkim. According to historical records, the first King (Chogyal) of Sikkim was coronated, by three Tibetan Buddhist monks, here at a place called Norbugang, where one can still see the stone seats and footprints of the head monk. You can visit Dubdi Buddhist Monastery, which is one of the oldest Monastery of Sikkim, It is half an hour uphill walk. On the way visit Khecheopalri Lake, which is considered a holy lake by both the Hindus and Buddhist.  (Overnight stay in Yuksom)